A Republican bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "PROTECT the Grid Act," directs the Secretary of Commerce to assess security risks to the U.S. electric grid. It focuses on vulnerabilities caused by certain Internet-connected, high-wattage devices and their associated applications. The legislation specifically targets risks posed by entities controlled by foreign adversaries. The Secretary must submit a report to Congress within 270 days containing findings and recommendations. These recommendations may include restrictions on transactions or government procurement. Finally, the act codifies Executive Order 13873 into law.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +7
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
The bill directs a report to assess and mitigate cyber risks to the electric grid posed by high-wattage IoT devices.
- Scored +6
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The bill addresses the risk of foreign adversaries collecting detailed consumer data through smart appliance applications.
- Scored +5
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill aims to protect consumers from data collection and security risks inherent in foreign adversary-controlled smart appliances.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of the Electric Grid: The bill aims to prevent large-scale, coordinated manipulation of power demand that could lead to blackouts, frequency imbalances, and cascading system failures (Section 2(a)(2), Section 2(a)(11)).
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Increased National Security: By requiring a report on vulnerabilities, the act seeks to ensure that smart applications in home appliances cannot serve as an entry point for foreign adversaries to attack critical infrastructure (Section 2(a)(10)).
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Enhanced Consumer Data Security: The bill identifies risks regarding the collection of detailed consumer data by companies controlled by foreign adversaries and seeks to address these vulnerabilities (Section 2(a)(7)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Potential Restrictions on Products: The bill suggests that the resulting report could recommend restrictions or conditions on transactions involving certain applications and devices (Section 4(c)(1)).
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Government Procurement Changes: Recommendations may include specifically restricting the Federal Government from procuring certain consumer products (Section 4(c)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Protecting the stability of the electric grid benefits the household utilities relied upon by middle-income families. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Ensuring grid stability protects urban populations that are highly dependent on reliable electrical infrastructure.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill directs a report to assess and mitigate cyber risks to the electric grid posed by high-wattage IoT devices.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill addresses the risk of foreign adversaries collecting detailed consumer data through smart appliance applications.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill aims to protect consumers from data collection and security risks inherent in foreign adversary-controlled smart appliances.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — By securing the electric grid, the bill helps ensure the stability of essential electrical infrastructure.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates a formal report to Congress regarding national security vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.
- 4/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/12/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/23/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection.
- 1/22/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Oversight and Government Reform, Ways and Means, Intelligence (Permanent Select), and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Neal DunnRepublican · Florida
Elise StefanikRepublican · New York